City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole Met Nov. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Robinson, City Clerk Ii, City Attorney Harrill, Aldermen Dell, Killey Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Surratt & Whitecotton
Also Present: Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak & Chief Bianchi Absent: Alderman Kelleher, Building Official Steffens & EMA Director Ciciora
Mayor Robinson announced that the City received the full funding of $306,136.03 under the Local CURE (Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency) Program.
Police Pension Funding: Kevin Cavanaugh, Actuarial Consultant with Lauterbach & Amen, explained that the City’s police pension fund is currently funded at 38% and recommended a $1,018,000.00 contribution for the 2020-2021 year. The statutory minimal contribution is $843,000.00 leaving an unfunded actuarial liability of $8,885,000.00. By law, police pension funds must be 90% funded by the year 2040.
2020 Tax Levy Review: Wes Levy, Director of Financial Services with Lauterbach & Amen, presented a 2020 tax levy draft reflecting a 31.58% increase in the police pension fund in the amount of $843,000.00. The increase is in accordance with the actuary report for the police pension fund discussed previously. An increase in the police pension fund will result in a reduction of the general fund of $161,650.00 It was noted that the overall tax levy is reflecting a 3.95% increase or a tax increase of $4 per 100,000 of EAV (equalized assessed value). The tax levy must be approved and passed by the end of December.
Bernardi Securities Presentation: John Vezzetti, Vice President of Bernardi Securities, described the bonding process for $3.2 million to fund the public safety building and possibly other projects. A referendum is not required in order to bond. Citing a need for a budget plan prior to moving forward, the overall Council consensus was to start the process to benefit from low interest rates. Concern was raised how the $8,885,000 pension liability would be viewed by Standard & Poor’s bond rating. Exercising due diligence by approving an authorization ordinance next week and a BINA (Bond Issue Notification Act) hearing on November 23rd, 2020, funding could become available by the end of the year.
Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren Law Group: No report
City Clerk Ii: No report
EMA Director Ciciora: Absent
Chief Bianchi: No report
Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak
Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, the following variances were granted:
ZBA 2020-04 (209 E. Knights Road): The Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to reduce the required side yard setback for a residential driveway from 5 feet to 3 feet by a vote of 5-1.
ZBA 2020-05 (222 N. Main Street): The Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to permit a four-foot addition to the front of an existing, legal non conforming garage by a vote of 6-0.
2020 Leaf Vacuuming Program: Leaf piles placed after 7:00 am on the day of a resident’s assigned pickup will not be picked up until the following scheduled pickup for that area. Weekly schedule as follows:
Monday, November 2: Ward 1 (except Sandhurst)
Tuesday, November 3: Ward 2 (except Fairwinds)
Wednesday, November 4: Ward 3
Thursday, November 5: Ward 4
Friday, November 6: Sandhurst and Fairwinds
Aldermen Reports:
Alderman Robinson reported that Jeremy Moss has requested a payout of 118.25 unused vacation hours and a carryover of 40 unused vacation hours. Additionally, Wendy Flowers has requested a payout of 100 unused vacation hours and a carryover of 40 unused vacation hours.
Alderman Surratt suggested the Council consider amending the Municipal Code for the next fiscal year to accommodate the use of golf carts on city roadways. A city sticker would be required that would generate additional income for the City.
Announcements: The Finance Committee Meeting will meet immediately following the Committee of-the-Whole Meeting on November 2nd, 2020.
Audience Comments: WSPY correspondent, Jim Wyman, questioned if the City has plans to annually increase their contribution toward the police pension fund.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Littlebrant and seconded by Alderman Surratt to adjourn the Committee-of-the Whole Council meeting at 8:36 PM. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw110220.pdf
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